Boarding at Gate 4...

was the cue for the start of another big adventure. Really, just me, as Bill still had to wait 4 more hours before he boarded his flight. Yep, that's right, separate flights and different destinations. We both left on Saturday the 5th Oct but I was on my way to London where I would stay with Auntie Muriel in Brentwood Essex. Bill was on his way to Dubai for the first part of his adventure for work. We both arrived safe and sound the following day.

We had a great time at our different destinations. Bill living it up in 6 star luxury and seeing and experiencing all Dubai has to offer. Yes, he did get to the indoor Ski field but did not venture on to the snow as there was no time. They did manage to 'Ski' the sand dunes in the 4 wheel drives and by the look of the photo's it was a real highlight. The camel rides looked like fun too.

My first days without Bill were all about catching up with family. Since our last trip, 10 years ago, another generation has appeared on the family tree. Jasper, Paige, Ewan & Cerys are all growing up so fast. It was lovely to meet them all. It was great to see their Mums & Dads again as well and a wonderful time was had with Auntie Muriel, Beryl, Raymond, Paul, Jane & Brian, Nick & Gwenda. Thanks everyone for making my visit a special memory.

I also got out and about between visits. Auntie Muriel & I had a wonderful day in London on Wednesday. We started with a Champagne Flight on the London Eye - Awesome. With a beautiful day, blue sky & sunshine, we could see for miles. Seeing all the wonderful landmarks visible from the glass bubble made for lots of 'wow' moments. It certainly is a great way to look at London. From there we took a river cruise up the Thames from Big Ben to Grenwich, which we all know, is where local time on the zero line of longitude (the Greenwich meridian), passes through the Old Royal Observatory at Greenwich, London. We also walked through Grenwich Park and saw the Maritime Museum & Queens Anne's House. Across the road at The Old Royal Naval college we saw Christopher Wrens Painted Hall & the Chapel. Then entire precinct is Heritage listed and dates back as far as the 17th century, very historical. From there we caught the driverless rail (DLR) back to London and changed to our train home.

After spending Thursday night with Beryl & Raymond in Camberly, we went to London on Friday and spent another great day looking at it from the ground. We went to the Tate Modern Galley - formerly a power station - (a great view of the city and the river from the 7th floor cafe). A walk along the boardwalk and we saw the replica of William Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, Blackfriars Bridge & The Queens Walk. We crossed the Thames on the wibbly wobbly bridge - The Millenium Bridge - costing 18 million pounds, opened in June 2000 and then promptly shut as it was declared unsafe with a huge sway. What was supposed to take a few weeks to fix took a lot longer. It was not reopened to the public until 22 February 2002. And the extra cost was 5 million pounds. The name has stuck ever since. We saw St Paul's Cathederal, and had lunch in the crypt of Bow Bells. The little church, St Mary Le Bow, is where the true Londoner is meant to have hailed from. Born within the sound of the Bow Bells.

Our last stop before heading home was to St Pancras Station. St Pancras is a wonderful old station famous for it's Gothic facade that was completed in 1865. During both world wars the station performed an important role acting as a meeting place for troops, a departure point for soldiers off to war, and to help transport children out of London to the safety of the countryside. The greatest threat came in 1966 when they wanted to amalgamate it with King's Cross station but the poet Sir John Betjeman stepped in and saved the old station. He is immortalised by a bronze statue in the upper concourse. It has since undergone a complete refurbishment and now with hotels, restaurants, shops and Europe's longest Champagne Bar it is the place to be seen whether you are catching a train or not. Another feature of the station is The Meeting Place, a 9m high bronze sculptor of a couple locked in an intimate pose by Paul Day. The couple stand underneath the famous St Pancras clock at the apex of the Barlow Shed.

A final farewell to Beryl at the station and I was on my way back to Brentwood well & truly walked out and ready for a rest. Too weary to even wonder what tomorrow will bring.

Goodnight................